The smell of roasting meat filled her lungs, she shivered, still unable to get over the nausea grease gave her during pregnancy.

"Are you hungry?" Anakin asked her, stroking her shoulder lovingly. He held Luke in his left arm, ready to help Padmé to her feet. She was tremendously sore, considering she'd pushed two humans out of her only an hour before.

Padmé took her husband's hand, appreciating the assistance. She stood awkwardly on her feet, wincing at the pain from in between her legs. She cradled Leia in her arms, grateful for the gifts that came from so much pain.

"No," Padmé replied. "I just want to wash and change my clothes. Then I want out of here. We should get back to Coruscant as quickly as we can."

Anakin led his wife through the open door of the ship, holding her steady. "We aren't going back to Coruscant."

"Excuse me?"

"Why would you think we're going back there? That's where the remaining jedi are."

Padmé huffed in frustration, "That's the point Anakin. We need to get back to the jedi so we can win this war."

"Why would we join our enemies?"

"We just escaped our enemies! Palpatine just revealed his true plans to kill myself and the babies. Was that not why you chopped off his legs?" She shot back.

"The jedi betrayed us," Anakin replied smoothly. "Palpatine needs me. He'll apologize."

Baffled, Padmé groaned in disgust. The man was brainwashed, creating unrealistic characters in his mind. How could he possibly believe the Jedi were evil? They were the most selfless group of people to roam the galaxy. She yearned to be in the presence of them, especially Obi-wan as he was apart of her family. She knew he'd protect her. She trusted her children and her own lives with him.

"Let's just find somewhere to stop," She huffed, her eyes bolting across the terrain in front of her. She scanned the huts set up, run by merchants, looking for a specific stand.

After a few moments, her irises caught site of a large structure made from rotten wood. The roof let out puffs of black smoke. She grinned, praying it was a black market.

Although Padmé didn't usually agree with illegal action, today was different. She needed to purchase a few things from inside.

"Anakin?"

"Yes, my angel?" He replied, not stopping his navigation through the other citizens on the planet.

"I need to get into the black market," She replied bluntly.

"That's not very safe," He told her, turning around. "Why?"

"I'm so sore," She whined. "They'll have really good painkillers."

He furrowed his eyebrows together, deep in thought. "I'll go in."

"I want to do it!" She replied, grabbing his arm. "I haven't done anything for myself in weeks. Just let me do something, Anakin."

"Padmé-"

"Stop viewing me as fragile," She hissed. "You know I'm not. I can take care of myself. You stay here, watch the babies. I'll be back quickly."

She passed Leia into his arms, a knawing feeling forming in the pit of her stomach. Guilt ate at her gut, reminding her that Anakin was capable of hurting the two while she was gone.

However, the only way that they'd be safe from his demolishing touch was by going into the building. She turned sharply on her heel and began to strut towards the market.

"Padmé!" Anakin called after her. "Aren't you missing something?"

Confused, she looked over her shoulder. In his hand was a small electronic ball. She sighed, realizing it was what held their credits. Only of slight importance, right?

She took it from his hands and headed back in the direction she was originally heading. Trying her hardest, she concealed the smile on her face. Padmé felt free, even if it was by walking through the dirty streets of a planet she was unfamiliar of. She could taste it on the tip of her tongue.

As she entered the building, she held her breath. The mixed scents of alcohol, sweat, and rotting food filled her lungs. The air was thick and hot, immediately causing perspiration to form at the edges of her forehead.

It didn't take long for her to catch the sets of eyes watching her every move. She wasn't surprised, considering her clothes were soaked in sweat and a little bit of blood. Her hair must have been a disaster.

She made her way over to a stand to the right side of the structure, lined with elixirs and glass jars full of mysterious gas. Thankful she was no longer pregnant, she approached the creature running the stand cautiously.

"What is a young beautiful woman like yourself doing here?" The creature said, a thick accent swam throughout his words. He was fat and mossy green with wings that buzzed occasionally together.

"That's none of your bussiness," She replied cooly. "I need something from you."

"And what would that be?" He asked.

Padmé pointed.

"I don't sell that to strangers."

"Why not?" She questioned.

"How am I supposed to trust you?" He explained. "That stuff could get me in a lot of trouble. I only sell it to the most discreet bounty hunters. Besides, I doubt you'll have the credits for it."

"Try me," Padmé insisted. She'd never appreciated her position in politics as much as she had in that moment.

"600 credits."

She grinned, nodding her head. Quickly, the girl transferred the money into his account. He raised an eyebrow in return.

"How do you have that kind of money?" He questioned.

Padmé smirked, "I don't tell that to strangers."

The creature sighed, placing the vile into a dark sac. He warned her of the consequences of using the potion, in which Padmé responded that she'd be careful.

Satisfied, he asked, "Anything else I can do for you?"

"Yes," She told him. "I need those chains."

"Chains?" The green of his chin seemed to speak along with his lips. "You're more dangerous than you look."

After being passed the large bag, Padmé was on her way. She breathed in the last moments of her freedom silently, a pain of sadness returning at the sight of Anakin.

She was relieved to see her two children were safe, fast asleep in the arms of their father. Padmé held her breath as she approached her new family, praying that Anakin would trust her and not search the bag.

"Hey," He grinned, his dirty blond hair curling away from his eyes. "Succesful?"

Seeing the chance to distract him, Padmé kissed him quickly on the lips.

"Yes," She smiled, willing herself to look pleased with him. "How are they?"

"That haven't even stirred," He chuckled. "Got ourselves kids that sleep like rocks."

Padmé's smile turned genuine as she studied her children's soft faces. They glowed with a purity only a newborn could possess. Her joy returned knowing the two angels that slept were her's.

After a half an hour of searching, the couple arrived at a hotel quite a distance away from their original landing site. They'd agreed to stay the night, as Padmé was exhausted and didn't want to walk anymore.

Upon arrival, Padmé took a shower, not letting the bag put of her sight. She was relieved once her hair was washed and pulled up into a bun accompanied by her body being smooth and wrapped in new clothes. She brushed her teeth, feeling as if she were a new person.

Anakin sat on the bed, the twins lay beside him wide awake. They were silent, watching him as he studied them.

"Feel better?" He asked.

"Oh yeah. Go take a shower," She joked. "You stink."

"Yes, milady," He teased back, kissing her cheek. "I set up the bassinet they brought up. I didn't know if you wanted them in there or not."

"Thank you."

As he exited, Padmé began her work. She placed the twins gently in the bassinet to ensure their safety and moved into the small kitchen.

After turning the kettle on, she searched the room for something to assist in carrying the twins. It would be extremely difficult to carry two newborns on her own. Examining what was in front of her, she chose a large baking pan. Lining the bottom of it with multiple towels, she hoped it would be comfortable enough.

To follow, she checked on the twins. They were happy, not fussing about a thing. Intead, they scanned their sorroundings in awe. She grinned.

As fast as possible, Padmé grabbed Anakin's lightsaber. It was tucked away under his pillow, an odd move for her husband. She could tell he was exhausted, as he wasn't on his toes like he usually was.

She was thankful for this as she used the plasmic weopon to cut a chunk of the chain off. She stowed the metal under the bed, running back to the kitchen.

Padmé fastened the remaining chain to the dish, creating a supportive device that could be used to carry the twins later on.

Now that the water had boiled, Padmé poured two cups of tea. The only difference between the two was that she had added the vile to one of them. Anakin's.

She brought the drinks into the bedroom, placing the mixed drink on the bedside next to where Anakin would be sleeping.

Full of fatigue, Padmé picked up Leia. She sat on the bed, beginning to feed the baby. She wanted everything to work perfectly, which meant that the twins had to be full and happy.

As soon as her daughter latched, Anakin emerged into the room shirtless. Beads of water dripped from his locks down to his shoulders. Padmé caught herself staring at his toned stomach, and she shook her head in disgust. She wished she were able to look that good after what they'd just gone through in the last 24 hours. Instead, she was bloated and tired. Her stomach was not toned, in fact it was covered in stretch marks.

Anakin picked up Luke, placing him against his chest. He stroked the baby's fuzzy head of hair. A pure smile formed across his face.

Padmé's heart stung at the sight. This was supposed to have played out so differently.

They sat silent, watching the babies for dozens of minutes. Leia unlatched and Padmé burped her. She passed the small babygirl to Anakin and was given Luke in return.

Luke latched immediately, and Padmé sat boredly. She enjoyed watching her children, but her nipples were sore and she was tired of constant uncomfortableness.

After a long gap of silence, Padmé giggled. Anakin looked over her shoulder, curiosity getting the best of him. Luke had falled asleep, his mouth opened in a large circle.

"She's asleep too," He told her.

The two put the babies in the bassinet and made their way back to the bed.

"I made you tea," Padmé said. "It might be cold but you should drink it. It'll help you sleep."

"Thank you," He told her, cudding close to her. "You're so strong."

She smiled sadly. Why did things have to happen negatively? Why couldn't life happen as planned? She just wanted things to go her way for once.

The two of them chugged the teas quickly. They were tired and it wasn't very appetizing.

Padmé clung to Anakin in her mind. She thought of all the good memories, the ones he'd left behind like the rest of Coruscant. She knew this wasn't him anymore.

She'd hoped, like a small spark in the middle of the night, that she'd had him back. He'd proven her wrong when he revealed his allegiances were still nailed down to the dark side. It didn't matter of the lifetime he'd spent with the light, the indents in his soul that had been carved. His weeks with Palpatine were far more important to him now.

Knowing this was the last time he'd hold her, Padmé leaned close into Anakin in the dark. Their lips locked, pulling her deeper towards him.

She lay on his bare chest with her own, kissing him softly. Anakin wrapped his strong arms around her as she traced the lining of his stomach.

They lay like that for minutes until Anakin's breath began to slow. Padmé placed her head on his chest, closing her eyes as the drug began to effect Anakin. He was pulled into the darkness chasm of sleep.

Padmé sighed, pulling away from her husband. She kissed his forehead, whispering, "I really loved you Anakin. I loved you for you."

As silently as possible, she put her top on and grabbed the babies. She placed them into the baking pan she'd done up earlier.

Returning, Padmé grabbed the chains from under the bed. She wrapped Anakin's hands tightly, then tied the metal to the bed post firmly. Pulling, she was satisfied with her job. After picking up his lightsaber and fastening it to her belt, she returned to the kitchen.

Padmé burrowed the twins in another blanket, then sighed. Taking one last look at the drugged Anakin, she sighed.

Then courageously, she took a step into the dark night. Tears stung her face like an icy breeze.

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